The Philadelphia Eagles have just a few days to prepare for Tom Brady. It’s a game the team might have to play with one of their main playmakers after Dallas Goedert hit the Reserve / COVID-19 list.

Goedert has been vaccinated against the new coronavirus, but the tight end has always tested positive. He will have to return two negative tests 24 hours apart, for example Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. The Eagles play in two days on Thursday night football (October 14) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Zach Ertz would be in line to start if Goedert is not cleared to play. Undrafted rookie Jack Stoll would serve as the main backup on the tight end. The Eagles recently added second-year Noah Togiai to the practice squad. He could be raised and protected in the blink of an eye. Goedert is the team third receiver over five weeks, with 15 receptions for 216 yards and two touchdowns.

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Zach Ertz’s trade talks are heating up again?

Goedert’s status could impact the stove temperature on Ertz. The Eagles were set to treat him “at least twice” during the offseason, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, and these discussions could resume.

Fowler mentioned the Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts as potential landing points for Ertz, adding that the Minnesota Vikings had made inquiries about Goedert. Ertz would prefer to go to a competitor so that it can narrow the list. Or if the Eagles rebuilt a winning streak over the next two weeks, he might be inclined to stick around.

Additionally, Buffalo doesn’t seem to make much sense right now given the emergence of Dawson knox. He has 261 receiving yards this season, including five touchdowns in the past four weeks.

Another name to watch out for is Marlon mack. The Colts running back called for a trade and produced his only 1,000-yard rushing season in 2019 when Nick Sirianni was his offensive coordinator. With Miles Sanders struggling and Kenneth Gainwell battling for runs, Mack could add a boost to the Eagles’ backfield.

Tom Brady Sore, expects to play

Tom Brady is hoping to play in week six despite a thumb injury. The seven-time Super Bowl champion had his throw heavily wrapped hand before training on Oct. 12 and admitted he felt a “bit sore”. However, no small bump or bruise will keep him from going up against the Philadelphia Eagles.

“It’s a little painful but I expected it,” Brady told reporters, via The Associated Press. “We signed up for a contact sport. You get different bumps and bruises throughout the year and we’ll take care of that as best we can. This bump and bruise is on my hand.

Brady added that if the injury was on his left (non-pitcher) hand then that wouldn’t even be a problem. The 44-year-old leads the NFL in passing yards (1,767) and is second in touchdown shots (15) behind Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.